Tracking the Foundations for Universal Broadband Across States

This policy tracker is part of a series exploring policy cornerstones that states can adopt to pursue universal broadband connectivity.

States are uniquely positioned to extend and sustain affordable broadband access into the future, positioning all communities to benefit from the connectivity that Americans rely on to learn, work, and engage in today’s society. Research by The Pew Charitable Trusts points to four cornerstones of a durable state policy framework that, when pursued together, create the conditions necessary for universal access:

• Dedicated broadband deployment funding to support network deployment and upgrades beyond time-limited federal programs. 

• Affordability requirements tied to publicly funded networks so households can subscribe to broadband service and stay connected. 

• Minimum speed standards that establish expectations for baseline service quality. 

• Network scalability requirements that help publicly funded infrastructure meet rising demand without costly rebuilds. 

This tracker shows where each state stands on the four cornerstones, based exclusively on a review of state statutes. The tracker reflects the presence and structure of these policies in law but does not evaluate outcomes. Explore the map below to see how your state compares to others, and where opportunities remain to strengthen the policy foundations for universal broadband access.

How the cornerstones work together

Pew’s research found that previous broadband policy efforts have fallen short because they did not address three interdependent challenges of universal access:

• Availability: ensuring that networks are built and upgraded using technologies capable of meeting current and future needs.
• Affordability: ensuring that households and businesses can remain connected to those networks over time.
• Quality: ensuring that networks can deliver the level of service required for vital applications, now and in the future.

Because of the interconnected nature of these challenges, Pew recommends that states pursue all four policy cornerstones together. Dedicated funding expands and upgrades networks, while affordability requirements keep service within reach for consumers—even in communities where it is expensive to build. Speed and scalability standards protect service quality, which supports consumer adoption and protects public investment.

As of 2026, relatively few states have codified all four cornerstones for universal broadband access. States have an opportunity to enshrine these foundational policies in law, establishing clear expectations, delivering stability across political cycles, and ensuring that every public dollar produces lasting public benefit.